Kim Han-gil: "Just as youth is not a title, the elderly are not branded with a scarlet letter"

"Age Becomes a Basis for Discrimination, Intergenerational Conflicts Grow"
Special Committee Launched for a Society Where Elderly Roles Thrive

"Youth is not a privilege, and being elderly should not become a scarlet letter."

Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, said this on the 20th at the launch ceremony of the 'Special Committee for a Society Where the Role of the Elderly is Alive' held at the Government Seoul Office.

On the 20th, following the ruling party's defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Office election, the "Kim Han-gil role theory" is spreading. At the "Launch Ceremony of the Special Committee for a Society Where the Role of the Elderly is Alive" held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, is delivering opening remarks. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

He stated, "Discriminating based on age and depriving opportunities from certain older individuals is something we must not repeat," adding, "The reality is that age is currently a target of discrimination, and intergenerational conflicts are only growing, which is very regrettable."

Chairman Kim leads the Integration Committee directly under President Yoon Seok-yeol. He emphasized that as of last month, South Korea's elderly population reached 9.61 million, accounting for about 20% of the total population, and that by 2025, the country will be on the brink of a super-aged society. The special committee plans to include youth members from the perspective that 'solving elderly issues is also solving youth issues' to garner empathy from future generations.

After several preparatory task force (TF) and expert meetings, the special committee derived the main directions: ▲a multi-generational coexistence society ▲learning and contributing elderly ▲healthy elderly ▲a society where people work together.

Recently, President Yoon Seok-yeol also ordered the cabinet and ruling party to actively reflect the policy proposals of the National Integration Committee. At a dinner on the 17th with about 90 people including committee members and People Power Party leadership, he said, "I am confident that the activities and policy proposals of the Integration Committee have given me much insight. Applause for Chairman Kim Han-gil and the committee," thereby supporting the committee.

On the 20th, following the ruling party's defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Office election, the theory of 'Kim Han-gil's role' is spreading. Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, is delivering opening remarks at the launch ceremony of the "Special Committee for a Society Where the Role of the Elderly is Alive," held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

Chairman Kim said, "No one can deny that our elderly generation, having escaped the scars of war and the shackles of poverty, are the protagonists who created the material and spiritual abundance we currently enjoy," adding, "I believe that discriminating based on age and depriving opportunities from certain older individuals is something we must not repeat."

He continued, "As the baby boomer generation enters old age, the desires and characteristics within the elderly generation are diversifying. It is time for new perspectives and policy responses regarding the elderly," expressing concern that "South Korea's elderly poverty rate ranks worst among OECD countries."

He further emphasized, "We all know that the elderly face great insecurity in their later years," and "If the experience and wisdom of the elderly are properly utilized in our society, it will be a great strength in terms of national competitiveness."

In particular, Chairman Kim stressed, "The elderly issue is not someone else's problem for the younger generation," and "It is a story about our parents close to us and will become our own issue in the future."

On the 20th, following the ruling party's defeat in the Seoul Gangseo District Office election, the "Kim Han-gil role theory" is spreading. Kim Han-gil, Chairman of the National Integration Committee, is delivering opening remarks at the launch ceremony of the "Special Committee for a Society Where the Role of the Elderly is Alive" held at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Jo Yong-jun jun21@

The special committee plans to develop measures to revitalize elderly education that enables learning and social contribution through strengthening lifelong career education and enhancing healthy digital literacy.

Additionally, it aims to seek alternatives to create intergenerational integrated workplaces where the know-how of the elderly and the passion of the younger generation can coexist, thereby building an environment where elderly individuals with will and capability can continue working.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.